More in Drought

Because most of the states hit by the 2012 drought were in the corn-producing areas of the country, serious feed shortages will occur for most livestock operations this winter. Yet, in spite of this ominous forecast, beef cattle producers likely will rely on the ability of their cattle to adapt to a variety of diets and ingredients. However, feeding strategies must be reviewed before considering use of drought-stricken crops and forages....More

If there was ever a good year for drought-tolerant corn research, this year was it. In July, more of the United States suffered moderate or severe drought than at any other time in the 12-year history of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The effects were certainly felt across the Corn Belt, especially in Indiana, which had its driest year since 1988. However, seed developers are working on hybrids to help growers deal with these conditions....More

The 2012 drought will be one for the record books. Its high temperatures and lack of rain put it among the 10 worst droughts in U.S. history, and the Corn Belt is stuck in the middle of it. The corn crop is expected to be 13% smaller than last year’s crop, according to USDA.
Insured crop...More

The 2012 drought may cause some issues with herbicide carryover in the 2013 crop, according to Brent Wilson, technical services manager, DuPont Pioneer. In addition, growers will need to evaluate fertilizer applications....More

The corn crop rating in Illinois stays in the low single digits. As the season winds down on one of the most drought-reduced corn crops in Illinois history, a number of factors are at play that will affect crop management for the coming year.
...More

Many producers are wondering whether the development of genetically modified hybrids and the improvement in hybrid yield potential and stress tolerance has made the corn crop more “drought-proof” now than it was in 1988.
Emerson Nafziger, a professor of crop sciences at the University of Illinois, said that as the drought worsened over the past weeks, he was regularly asked how this year’s yields are likely to be affected and how they will compare with the yields after the 1988 drought.
...More

As part of continuing steps by the Obama Administration to get assistance to producers impacted by the drought, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today designated 172 additional counties in 15 states as primary natural disaster areas due to drought and heat, making all qualified farm operators in the areas eligible for low-interest emergency loans. To date, USDA has designated 1,792 counties as disaster areas—1,670 due to drought....More

Beck's Hybrids reports the company planted 150% of anticipated seed needs in 2012. In addition, the seed was planted over a period of time and in different geographies. As a result, Beck's expects to meet their customers' needs for seed corn in 2013, according to Ashley Woodward Fischer of Beck's....More

The drought has hampered seed corn production and most supplies will be tight. Mycogen Seeds prepared for adverse weather events by spreading out production, according to Eric Sitzman, corn product manager. As a result, Mycogen with Dow AgroSciences expects to meet most of its 2013 customer needs....More

Due to the drought, Monsanto has added more pre-pay and financing options for its seed customers, according to Danielle Stuart, public affairs. The company also is doubling its contributions to the America's Farmers Grow program for drought-declared areas. The increased money will help agricultural-related nonprofit organizations weather tight economic times....More

Offering total weather insurance for corn and soybean production, the Climate Corporation reports a high number of insurance payouts were triggered in some areas for the drought conditions, according to Jeff Hamlin, director of agronomic research....More

Crop insurance claims for drought damage are being processed by the National Crop Insurance Services, according to Laurie Langstraat, director of public relations. If this drought is similar to the drought of 1988, then losses may amount to $20 billion to $25 billion....More

Corn grower leaders in Iowa found no major surprises in USDA’s Aug. 10th estimates for the 2012 corn and soybean crops.
“I’m not real surprised by the numbers,” reported Kevin Ross, Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) president. “We are still over a 10 billion bu. crop, which is above some early 2000 crop numbers. There is definitely still a lot of corn.”...More

With high temperatures and dry conditions prevailing during the corn grain-fill period this season, the risk of Aspergillus ear rot is high, said Carl Bradley, University of Illinois plant pathologist.
Aspergillus ear rot, caused by the fungus Aspergillus flavus, is observed as a yellowish-green mold growing on corn kernels. Areas within fields that have insect- and bird-damaged ears are particularly vulnerable to the rot.
...More

In the central part of the state, the soybeans that have so far survived the extreme temperatures and drought are now showing symptoms of charcoal rot. Plant Diagnostic Clinic and IPM coordinator Suzanne Bissonnette said that, in the past 2 weeks, the University of Illinois Plant Clinic (http://web.extension.illinois.edu/plantclinic/) has diagnosed the disease in several samples.
...More

With farmers across the country battling an abnormally dry growing season, DuPont Pioneer continues to share and develop resources to help farmers find the best solution for their farm to manage their drought-stressed crop....More

As mentioned a couple weeks ago, what is being reported in the media is probably worse than the reality of the drought and its effect on the U.S. corn crop. There will be corn fields in west central Illinois that yield 175 bu./acre. And there will be many fields yielding less than 50 bu./acre....More

Drought conditions continue to intensify in areas across the state. According to the July 24, 2012, U.S. Drought Monitor report, the southwest corner of Minnesota is now rated in the "Severe" drought category. The western half and southern counties of the state are rated "Abnormally Dry" or in "Moderate" to "Severe" drought.
In areas hardest hit by the drought, growers are assessing grain yield potential and considering if and when they should harvest drought-stressed corn for forage....More